Are close contact saddles used for jumping?

Question

It seems that close contact is sometimes interchanged with jumping. If I want to buy a jumping saddle, would I be able to jump in a close contact? If not, what are close contacts used for?
Thanks!

Answer 1

Yes they are

Answer 2

I always thought close contact saddles WERE jumping saddles =P Are you sure you have a close contact saddle? You might be getting a bit confused. If you were riding on the flat for a year, you could possible have an all-purpose saddle. Which you can use for lower jumps.

Answer 3

From my experience a Close Contact saddle is designed to bring you closer to your horse so you can feel more through the leather. You can buy a close contact with or without knee rolls and thigh blocks. Most close contact saddles are jumping saddles, but it also depends on what kind of jumping you're doing. If you ride equitation over fences then you should buy a close contact equitation saddle, which has a flatter seat and is better balanced to place you in a centered straight seat. A close contact jumper saddle has a more forward and deeper seat. If you ride cross country, then you'd probably ride in an all purpose for the extra seat security the deeper, higher cantel design provides. If you're a part-time rider dabbling in all english disciplines then I highly suggest an all purpose saddle.

Here is a link to an equitation saddle (which is also used over fences), the Pessoa EQ: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/keylime1602/pesscceq.jpg

Here is a link to a close contact show jumper saddle, the Dover Circuit Pro: http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/keylime1602/CloseContactJumperDoverCircuit.jpg

Notice the difference in the depth of the seats between the equitation saddle and the show jumper saddle, but both are close contacts and used for over fences and both have knee rolls and thigh blocks, which are hidden under the flaps.

Hope this helps, but saddles in general can be pretty confusing until you see enough of them to know better. :)

Answer 4

if you are trying to do both close contact and jumping events, either get just a jumping saddle or a general purpose saddle which is an english saddle that is appropriate in show and can be used in all events.

close contact saddles are jumping saddles with no knee pads or cottons inside. they can be used for jumping as well, although they can be painful to use and sometimes be harder to put up with due to their thin body and finer leather.

all 3 saddles are acceptabale though. :-)

Answer 5

Yes. Close contact saddles are jump saddles without any knee rolls or padding.

Answer 6

Yes you can use a close contact for jumping. If you are a novice rider I would instead suggest one that has larger knee rolls than a close contact. The larger knee roll gives you more security and will help you develop a stronger leg position.

Answer 7

Close contacts just don't have knee rolls like jumpers. Jumping, close contact, and all purpose can all be used for jumping. Just personal preference I guess.

Answer 8

close contact can be used for jumping and dressage. In dressage the close contact is usually for begiinners, however some adcanced riders use close contact, but u wont find it in the olympics!!! Happy Riding